June’s Nintendo Direct Mini featured over two dozen third-party titles expected to launch over the next year. The event touched on several upcoming releases from Square Enix, the most notable being the Nintendo Switch port of NieR: Automata and a brand-new Dragon Quest Treasures spinoff. The gaming juggernaut did not forget to cater to fans of farming simulators either, as its freshly announced Harvestella bears an uncanny semblance to Rune Factory and Stardew Valley in terms of general gameplay.
Set in a world where four giant crystals known as Seaslight govern the seasons, Harvestella follows the story of a character who, for one reason or another, collapsed outside an isolated village during Quietus, the season of death. The resident village doctor saved the mysterious traveler from a fate filled with nothing but despair, a favor they would later repay by residing in the area and helping its community. With a premise built around a trope that’s almost as common as the one entrenched in the Rune Factory franchise, Nintendo Switch and PC owners can look forward to experiencing Square Enix’s take on life simulation this November.
As is the case with any title on the market looking to capture a fantasy agricultural lifestyle, Harvestella includes relaxing segments such as farming, fishing and raising livestock. Crops and ingredients acquired throughout the story can be put toward cooking meals and crafting items that will provide players with beneficial status effects, replenish their health or allow them to utilize exclusive in-game features. Players can also barter their excess produce for monetary gains, should they find themselves short on funds.
Socialization and exploration play an equally important role in the game, though not much is known about how Harvestella handles the ebbs and flows of the protagonist’s relationships. However, it’s safe to say that select gameplay aspects will be affected by this form of interpersonal growth, especially given the emphasis placed on quests that fellow townsfolk issue and the completion of character stories relating to more prominent members of the supporting cast. Aside from traversing the overworld in hopes of discovering new settlements and dungeons, players will also have the chance to enjoy thorough naval exploration with the help of a submarine.
Combat is one of the areas where Harvestella diverges from titles such as Stardew Valley or Rune Factory. Rather than experimenting with a hybrid approach, the game embraces Square Enix’s trademark RPG battle system and expands upon it with the introduction of jobs. While this unique addition restricts the character’s ability to wield an infinite range of weapons, it also prompts players to master skills tied to the preferred job, discover opponents’ weaknesses and effectively utilize their amassed knowledge on the battlefield. From powerful short-range physical attacks to magic-fueled offense from afar, the protagonist can deal mortal damage alone or in unison with their party while switching jobs on the fly.
Another area that has Square Enix’s promising title veering away from the placating setting of an average farming sim is its dark plot twist. The foreboding Quietus that plagues the world of Harvestella in the interim between seasons grows progressively more dangerous, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. Seeing as players are tasked with navigating its challenges and uncovering secrets behind the origins of the abnormal behavior of the Seaslight crystals, the game’s multifaceted nature leans more toward the Atelier franchise than other entries in the genre with fleetingly carefree storylines.
Thanks to its many defining qualities, Harvestella also appears to be a good starting point for JRPG enthusiasts who are open to exploring the world of farming sims. With a rich roster of unique gameplay additions and a layered combat system, it successfully bridges the gap between a full-fledged roleplaying title and a casual simulator. Since there is no shortage of farming-related pastimes and opportunities to socialize with overworld inhabitants, Harvestella is sure to appeal to gamers interested in partaking in an enhanced experience that other simulation games cannot offer.
